Agricultural Program Manager

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact for people and nature around the world in 69 countries, all 50 United States, major US cities and in your neighborhood. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we are committed to a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Pennsylvania Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is a leader in developing and implementing strategies to conserve forests and streams, addressing the impacts of agriculture, energy development, and climate change, and empowering nature in cities. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Nature Conservancy seeks a knowledgeable, energetic conservationist for the position of Agricultural Program Manager.

The Agricultural Program Manager will provide leadership and be part of a team responsible for developing an Agricultural Program. This Program aims to improve water quality and wildlife habitats in agricultural landscapes in Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay watersheds, in a way that benefits the economic, environmental, and social well-being of our region and our farmers, and through efforts such as those being advanced by the Pennsylvania 4R Alliance. (S)he/ will also be responsible for aligning our work with other Conservancy units, specifically our Chesapeake Bay Program, and the Conservancy’s global agenda. The Agricultural Program Manager will provide leadership to the Chapter to perform Conservation Planning, Partnership Building, and Program Delivery.

This is a two-year term position with the possibility of extension, dependent upon funding.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Conservation Planning: The Agricultural Program Manager identifies opportunities and develops strategies that accelerate the adoption of local and regional 4R practices and agricultural conservation strategies which benefit communities, their economy, and nature. She/he will provide leadership and be part of a team responsible for developing a 3-Year Conservation Vision and Business Plan for this position.

Partnership Building: The Agricultural Program Manager will develop effective partnerships with federal, regional, and state agencies, conservation groups, the agribusiness community, and other public and private organizations engaged in agricultural issues. She/he will organize and facilitate meetings, trainings, and outreach events, and implement strategies identified by the PA 4R Alliance, a collaboration among agribusinesses, farmers, government agencies, conservation groups and scientists working to ensure that nutrient application on farms is consistent with the 4Rs – the right nutrient source, applied at the right rate, at the right time, in the right place. She/he will identify and establish partnerships that will accelerate the implementation of practices in agricultural landscapes to achieve our conservation goals and support local farming communities.

Program Delivery: This position is responsible for effectively implementing agricultural conservation strategies identified through this program to meet our conservation goals in a way that also support our local farming community. (S)he will provide direct assistance to the PA 4R and coordinate with Delaware Maryland 4R Alliance efforts to implement a suite of collectively identified strategies that increase the adoption of 4R priority practices by farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Implementation will entail working with agencies and the private sector to integrate conservation strategies into existing and new agricultural programs and tools, implementing demonstration projects, advancing educational opportunities through workshops, trainings, field days, outreach materials, social media and websites, etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

Develops collaborative agricultural conservation strategies.
Tracks progress toward goals and develops solutions to strategies that are not meeting goals.
Supports the PA 4R Alliance by assisting with identifying conservation opportunities and priorities, organizing and facilitating meetings, trainings, and outreach events, and implementing ideas that will advance our conservation objectives.
Seeks funding to support agricultural conservation efforts.
Builds and maintains partnerships to achieve common goals.
Coordinates multiple projects, set deadlines, and manages projects to completion.
Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
May supervise interns and seasonal staff with responsibility for performance management, training, and development.
Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

BA/BS and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience working with partners toward a common goal
Experience using common software applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
Experience in organizing and facilitating meetings and/ or trainings.
Must have valid driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Established relationships with agricultural community in Central Pennsylvania.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local policies and regulations related to agriculture.
Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
Relationship building skills to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists, and private industry.
Knowledge of ecological land management and agricultural best management principles including nutrient management.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and agriculture.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
Supervisory skills
Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.

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